Amazon

Senior Applied Scientist, AWS Security

Amazon$167K — $226K *
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD or Master's degree with 6+ years of applied research experience
  • Experience leading engineering teams as a mentor or tech lead
  • 3+ years building machine learning models for business applications
  • Experience deploying AI/ML models into production systems
  • Proficient in programming/scripting (e.g., Python) for real-world problem solving

Responsibilities

  • Design and deploy AI/ML systems for processing threat data at scale
  • Conduct in-depth data analyses for detecting unknown security issues
  • Independently frame ambiguous problems and deliver research agendas
  • Advocate for new technologies to address complex security challenges
  • Build consensus on scientific methods balancing analytical rigor with operational urgency
  • Mentor teammates technically and professionally
  • Publish patents and articles, and present research internally and externally

Benefits

  • Health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
  • Mental health support and resources
  • 401(k) matching
  • Paid time off and parental leave
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Adoption and surrogacy reimbursement coverage
Full Job Description
As a Senior Applied Scientist on our team, you'll analyze data using GenAI and other AI/ML techniques to build new services that detect and automate the mitigation of cybersecurity threats across Amazon's infrastructure, including advanced persistent threats. You'll work with software development engineers, security engineers, and other applied scientists across multiple teams to develop innovative security solutions at a massive scale. Our services protect the AWS cloud for all customers, helping preserve our customers' trust in us. You'll get to use the full power and breadth of AWS technologies to build services that proactively protect every single AWS customer, both internally and externally, from security threats - not many teams can say that!

A successful candidate is one who is passionate about utilizing big data, machine learning, and GenAI to solve real business problems. This role gives you the opportunity to lead technical innovation and drive the future direction of automation within threat detection and mitigation. Candidates are expected to have a track record of delivering high-quality results in a fast-moving environment. We need someone who's comfortable mentoring, leading by example, and independently delivering.

We have a team culture that encourages innovation and for every team member to have a high degree of ownership for their program, vision, and execution of ideas. We're looking for someone who is enthusiastic, empathetic, curious, motivated, reliable, and able to work effectively with a diverse team of peers and partner teams. We want someone who will help us amplify the positive and inclusive team culture we've been building.

Key job responsibilities

- Design, build, and deploy AI/ML systems that process threat data at scale, running over petabyte-scale security logs with real-time inference

- Conduct thorough data analyses and develop prototypes for detecting otherwise-unknown security problems

- Independently frame ambiguous problems, and then define and deliver a research agenda with limited guidance

- Seek out, develop, and advocate for new technologies to solve scientifically-complex security problems

- Build consensus on scientific approaches, balancing analytic rigor with the operational urgency inherent to security

- Mentor and develop teammates both technically and professionally

- Publish patents and peer-reviewed articles, and present your research both internally and externally

About the team

This team is part of the larger 'Amazon Active Defense' organization, focused on bringing automation - at scale - to AWS Security. Teams within Amazon Active Defense consist of security engineers, data/applied scientists, and software developers, all working together to launch big data analytics able to automatically detect and mitigate threats within AWS in near-real-time. This team, in particular, is focused on both detecting and automatically stopping advanced actor activities in internal AWS resources.

Review these blogs for example past projects you could have led!

- https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/security/how-aws-uses-active-defense-to-help-protect-customers-from-security-threats/

- https://www.amazon.science/blog/how-amazon-uses-agentic-ai-for-vulnerability-detection-at-global-scale

- https://www.amazon.science/blog/how-amazon-uses-ai-agents-to-anticipate-and-counter-cyber-threats

Diverse Experiences

Amazon Security values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn't followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don't let it stop you from applying.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

- PhD, or Master's degree and 6+ years of applied research experience

- Experience leading engineering teams as a mentor or tech lead

- 3+ years of non-internship experience building machine learning models for business applications

- Experience deploying AI/ML models into production systems with direct, verified customer impact

- Non-internship experience of programming and/or scripting to solve real-world problems (e.g., in Python)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Experience with large scale distributed systems such as Hadoop, Spark etc.

- Experience using AI/ML to solve problems in cybersecurity, fraud, or related areas

- Experience building and deploying new GenAI applications

- Experience with AWS or other cloud services (e.g., SageMaker, Bedrock, EMR, Glue, Lambda, S3, etc.)

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, WA, Seattle - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually

About Amazon

Audible is a provider of spoken audio information and entertainment , on the Internet. They provide premium spoken audio content, such as audio versions of books and newspapers and radio programs, that is delivered over the Internet and played back on personal computers and hand-held electronic devices. The Audible service allows consumers to purchase and download their content from their Website, store it in digital files and play it back on personal computers and electronic devices. More than 15,000 hours of audio content are available on their Web site, including audio versions of books, periodicals and radio programs. Several manufacturers have agreed to support and promote the playback of their content on their hand-held audio-enabled electronic devices.

Amazon Careers

Joining Amazon presents an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a vibrant team pushing the boundaries of innovation and growth in the global marketplace. As a leader in e-commerce, technology, and logistics, Amazon offers a variety of job opportunities that cater to a range of skills and professional interests. Work You’ll Do At Amazon, every day is an opportunity to collaborate with the brightest minds in technology and business to redefine what’s possible. Whether you’re interested in software development, marketing, human resources, or customer service, Amazon has a position waiting for you. Transform the way the world shops and innovates with our diverse and inclusive team. Amazon is not just a company; it’s a community where you can drive real change and contribute to projects impacting millions globally. Lead with Innovation and Leadership Amazon is the perfect place to enhance your leadership and innovation skills. Our culture encourages pushing the envelope and imagining the unimaginable. Here, you will lead projects that challenge the status quo and define new industry standards. Work with a team that values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment. Our leadership is focused on harnessing the collective power of unique perspectives to foster growth and innovation. Explore Amazon’s Employment Benefits Amazon’s commitment to its employees extends beyond just career growth. We offer competitive benefits, including health care, parental leave, and diversity training, ensuring that our team not only excels professionally but also enjoys well-being and security. Internship and Networking Opportunities Start your career with an Amazon internship and gain hands-on experience that matters. Our internships provide a gateway to full-time employment and an opportunity to network with professionals across various sectors of the company. Future-Proof Your Career With Amazon, your career path is filled with numerous opportunities for advancement. Our learning and development programs are designed to nurture your professional growth and keep you at the forefront of industry trends. Stay Connected Join Our Team Discover the job opportunities at Amazon that match your skills and interests. We are constantly on the lookout for passionate, curious, and innovative team players ready to make a difference. Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Explore the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Amazon. Amazon is more than just a company—it’s a platform for building a promising future. Whether you’re starting or looking to advance your career, Amazon offers the resources, support, and network you need to succeed. Join us, and be a part of our continuing mission to be Earth's most customer-centric company.
Learn more about Amazon
Size
1,608 employees
Market Cap
$832.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$21.3 billion
Founded
1994
5 Year Trend
+28.1%
Revenue
$386 billion
NASDAQ

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